Switch device and data transfer system

Abstract

A switch device includes ports, a switching part for switching data received via the ports in accordance with destinations of the data, a memory part for storing the data received via the ports, and an interface part for enabling access to the memory part from a processing device that is provided outside of the switch device and processes the data stored in the memory part.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A switch device comprising: 
 a plurality of ports for receiving and sending data;    a switching part for switching data received via the plurality of ports in accordance with destinations of the data;    a memory part for storing the data received via the plurality of ports; and    an interface part for enabling access to said memory part from a processing device that is provided outside of the switch device and processes the data stored in the memory part.    
     
     
         2 . The switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein said memory part comprises a first part for storing the data received from the plurality of ports, and a second part for storing data to be output to the plurality of ports.  
     
     
         3 . The switch device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second parts of said memory part respectively comprise dual-port memories that allow simultaneous data writing and reading.  
     
     
         4 . The switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein said memory part comprises a multi-port memory that allows simultaneous data writing, reading and accessing.  
     
     
         5 . The switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is connected to the switch device by a bus.  
     
     
         6 . The switch device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is connected to the switch device by a bridge.  
     
     
         7 . A data transfer system comprising a switch device, and a data processing device, said switch device comprising: 
 a plurality of ports for receiving and sending data;    a switching part for switching data received via the plurality of ports in accordance with destinations of the data;    a memory part for storing the data received via the plurality of ports; and    an interface part for enabling access to said memory part from said processing device that processes the data stored in the memory part.    
     
     
         8 . The data transfer system according to  claim 7 , wherein said memory part comprises a first part for storing the data received from the plurality of ports, and a second part for storing data to be output to the plurality of ports.  
     
     
         9 . The data transfer system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second parts of said memory part respectively comprise dual-port memories that allow simultaneous data writing and reading.  
     
     
         10 . The data transfer system according to  claim 7 , wherein said memory part comprises a multi-port memory that allows simultaneous data writing, reading and accessing.  
     
     
         11 . The data transfer system as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a bus connecting said processing device and said switch device.  
     
     
         12 . The data transfer system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a bridge connecting said processing device and said switch device.  
     
     
         13 . The data transfer system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a memory device for storing a program executed by said processing device.